Coupling



Jan.r6, 1942.

O. STAERKER COUPLING Filed JuneV 18, 1958 ANS" 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 6, 1942. o. sTAERKER v COUPLING Filed June 18, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet .f

Wj Ir I x Jan.. 6, 1 942. o. STAERKER 2,268,909 COUPLING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 kwal/@44u75 Filed June 18, 1958 Patented Jan. 6, 1942 UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEFlcE ooUrLlNG Otto Staerker, Gladewater, Tex. Application .rune 1s, 19ss, seria1 No. 214,414

' 14fo`1aims. (011103-226) p This invention relates to new and useful iniprovements in couplings. i

One object fof the invention is to provide an improved coupling which is an improvement on the -coupling disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 195,207f11ed' March 11, 1938, and which is particularly `adapted .for use in connecting Well pumping rods with a valve, pump plunger or other member.

An important objectl of the invention is to provide an improved coupling for Aconnecting the pump rods to the pump plunger, or other element, which couplingis so constructed that the connection may be made or broken within the tubing after said tubing has been set in the well bore, whereby the pump rods may be run into and removed from the well, separately and independently from the well tubing.

A particular object of the invention is to pro-- vide an improved coupling arranged to connect the usual pump rods with a pump plunger, said coupling being connected to one of the coupled members by left-hand threads and to theother member by right-hand threads; there also being means for preventing rotationy at one of the thread connections while the other thread connection is being made up or disconnected, whereby the members may be readily connected or disconnected from the surface andwhile said mem,- bers are disposed within" the well tubing.

Another object of the invention is, to provide an improved coupling including a pair of threaded members adapted to be connected together, and having coacting means whichis adapted to prevent reverse rotation -of the members after the same have been connected, so as to prevent uncoupling of the members, said coacting means being so arranged that it does not interfere with the connection as it is being made up and kfunctions after the connection is complete. l l A further object of the invention is toprovide anv improved coupling for .connecting a -pump plunger and the pump rods of a well, which coupling includes means for bleeding or draining the fluid from 4above the plunger whenever desired, said draining means being so arranged that it does not interfere with the normal operation of the plunger. I

' A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together vwith other features of the invention..

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specication and by reference to the accompanying drawings, 1n .an

which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein: i I

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly insection, of an improved coupling,con structed in accordance with the invention and illustrated as applied to a pump plunger and pump rod, 'l

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional View showing the coupling members disconnected,

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the coupling members connected and moved to a vposition in readiness for disconnection,

Figure4 is an enlarged elevation ofthe upper portion of the coupling as used alone inconnecting the pump plunger with the rod,

Figure 5 is a' transverse, vertical, sectional view of the same, showing the same in a coupled position,

Figure 6 is an enlarged elevation of the lower portion of the coupling as used alone in connecting the pump rod with the pump plunger,

Figure l'I is a transverse, vertical, sectional viewA of the same, y l y Figure 8 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 8--8 of Figure 3,

Figure 9 is an isometric View of the spring- Apressed connecting pin,

Figure 10 is a'view, partly in elevation and ,partly in section, and showing a. modified form `ofthe invention, wherein a bleeder valve is used vin combination with .the coupling, i f i Figure` 11 is. a view, partly in elevation and .partly in section, showinglthe coupling within the bleeder valve, with said valve in a` closed position,

Figure 12vis a view similar to Figure 11, showing the bleeder valve in an open position,

. Figure 13 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view takenon the line^'I3-I3 `of Figure 11,

Figure 14'is a'horizontal, cross-sectional View,

taken on the liney III-I4 of Figurey 11,'and

Figure 15 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line IS-I 5 of Figure 11 In the drawings,v thenumeral I0 designates a is mounted between the ends of the working bar- 1 rel II and the screen I4 and is arranged to permit an upward flow'through the working'barrel,

vconnected* to said? plunger. `has been set, the rods are then run therethrough Yand are connected to the plunger by the improved 'upper end of the bore 22.

while preventing a downward flow therethrough in the usual manner.

A pump plunger A is movable vertically within the working barrel and includes a tubular mandrel l5 having the usual packing element thereon. A travelling valve I8 of the usual construction is located within a cage I9 which is secured to the upper end of the mandrel I5. As the pump plunger A reciprocates Within the working barrel, fluid is drawn upwardly past the standing valve l5 and then flows upwardly through the mandrel I6, past the valve I8 and nally into the tubing lll above the working barrel The valves l5 and I8 operate in the usual manner.

The pump plunger A is carried by the usual pump rods 2l) which extend downwardly through the tubing IB' and have their lower ends connected to the plunger. As the pump rodsv are re-` ciprocated within the tubing, the plunger is moved vertically within the working barrel to perform the pumping operation. As isv well known. it is desirable thatthe well tubing l5 and thepump rods 21|v be run separately or independently', because inl order' toV run both the tubing and the rods simultaneously, it is necessary that a number of men and considerable equipment be employed. By running. the tubing and setting the same in position within the well casing and then running'the rods. 20, 'the well' operations are facilitated. Since the plunger A is operating within a Working` barrel. which has a larger diameter than the well tubing I5', it is evident that said plunger cannot' be run through the tubing. Therefore, it is necessary that said plunger 'be located in the working barrel before the tubing vand barrel are run into the well. However, at the time that the tubing, barrel and plunger are set` within the casing, the rods ifl are not coupling which is hereinafter described.

For connecting and disconnecting the rods with the pump plunger after the same is disposed in the Well, a coupling element which includes a vlower member or sleeve 2| is provided. The axial bore 22 of the member or sleeve 2| has its lower -end screw-threaded so as to receivel an upstanding axial pin 23 which is provided on the traveling valve cage I9. .Anv upwardly extending pin 2'4 is formed at they upper end of the member or sleeve 2| and this pin is provided with external, left-hand screw threads. lThe pin is adapted to engage within the lower end of a threaded collar 25V whereby the collar and member2| may be readily connected. With this arrangement,

the lower member or sleeve 2|, as well as the collar 25 of the coupling element, is carried by the plunger A and obviously, since the collar 25 is connected to the member 2| by left-hand threads, these two parts'may be separated or disconnected, withoutrdisconnecting the member 2| from the pin- 23 of the cage |9,'as the latter employs the usual standard kright-hand threads. Also the collar 25 maybe disconnected from the `pin 24 of the member 2| without disconnecting any of the other connections in the pump rods, as will be explained.

For preventing thefaccidental unscrewing of the' collar 25 from the pin 25, the member 2| is for-medl with radial slots or openings 26 at the A tubular plunger 21 is slidable within the bore and a transverse, ra-

dially extending pin 28l is mounted within the After the tubing upper end of said plunger, the extremities of said pin being movable within the radial slots 25 in the member. A coiled spring 23 engages within the tubular plunger 2l and has its lower end resting on a transverse pin 3i) which extends across the bore of Athe member 2| near the lower end thereof. The spring exerts its pressure to constantly urge the plunger 21 and the pin 23 upwardly, whereby said pin is normally held at the upper end ofthe radial slotsV 2.6.

When the collar 25 is threaded onto the pin 24, the lower end of said collar abuts the upper end of the member 2| and the extremities or ends of the pin 28 are adapted to engage within recesses 3| (Figure 1) which recesses are formed in the lower edge portion of the collar 25. When the ends of the pin are so engaged, rotation of the collar 25 with relation to the member 2| in a direction to unscrew the connection, is prevented and therefore an accidental or unintentional unscrewing of the parts is prevented. The pin 28 and the recesses or notches 3| which coaot therewith, thereby provide a lock for holding the: connected parts 25 and 2| together.

In the operation of the device, the Well tubing lll and the working barrel are run into the well casing I0 and are set therein in the usual manner. At this time, the lower element or sleeve 2| is secured .to the upper end of the travelling valve cage |9 and also the collar 25 is connected to the pin 24 of the member 2 These parts have been mounted on the plunger previously to the time that said plunger was inserted into the working barrel and before said barrel was connectedY to the well tubing I5" by the collar |2. Thus, when the tubing. and working barrel are run into the well, the plunger A, carrying the member 2| and the collar 25, is located therein.

After the tubing and barrel arev suitably set within the well casing', the pump rods 23 are run through the tubing Ill. The lower end of the pump rods carry the upper coupling member 32, which member has an upstanding pin 33 threadedV into the socket 34 provided on the lowermost pump rod. The lower end of the member 32 has a -depending axial pin 35 which is provided with external, right-hand screw threads, which threads are adapted to be threaded into the upper end of the collar 25. Thus, after the plunger is located within the well, it is only necessary to run the rods 25 downwardly through the tubing and to engage the pin 35 in the collar 25. By rotating the rods, the pin 35 may be screwed into the collar 2.5 and, since this is a right-hand i threaded connection, all of the standard righthand threads in the string are tightened by the action. The only left-handed threads are those connecting the lower end of the collar 25 to the lower member 2| of the coupling and loosening or unscrewing of these threads is prevented by the engagement ofthe ends of "the pin 28 in the notches or recesses 3| of the collar, as has been explained. In this manner, the rods 22 may be readily connected to the collar'25, whereby the rods 2|) are connected to the plunger A by means of the upper coupling member 32, collar 25 and the lower coupling member 2|.

For preventing the unscrewing of the pin 35 on the lower end of the upper member 32 from within the collar 25, the upper member 32 is formed with an axial bore 36. Elongate radial slots 31 extend Aoutwardly from this bore and are located nearer the lower end of the member 32, as is clearly shown in Figures 2 and 4. A transverse pin 38 extends through the rradial 'couplingmember 2 I rentera pair' of diametrically slots31 'and transversely'of the bore 36 and a coiled spring 39 has its'lower end resting within 'a recess `3B provided in the top of the pin 38. vThe upper end of the spring 38 engages the upper vend'o'f thebore 36andobviously, said spring exerts its pressure to hold the pin 38 in a lowermost position at the bottom of the slots 31. The extremities of the ypin 38 are bevelled or. inclined as shown at 40, whereby a pawl or ratchet tooth is formed. When the pin 35 on the lower end of the member 32 is threaded into the collar 25, the-'ex'-v tremities of the pin 38 are adapted to engage ratchetteeth or serrations. which are formed on theupper edge of the collar 25; The teeth' are so constructed that they permit a rotation of the pin 35 with relation to the collar ina direction which permits tighteningl of said pin within the collar. However, after the connection is made, the pawls or ratchet teeth48. on the locking pin 38 engage the ratchet teeth 4I on the collar to'prevent a reverserotationof the member 32. Therefore, after the connection is made, it is impossible to disconnect thepin 35 from the collar 25 until the ,lockingv pin 38 is raised so that the pawls yor ratchet teeth 40 thereon, may clear the serrations or teeth 4| on the collar 25. This provides a positive means for locking the parts together and preventing the unscrewing thereof. l

As has been explained, the plunger A having the lower couplingmember 2| and the collar 25 secured thereto is run into the well vwith the tubing and the working' barrel After said tubing and barrel are properly set, the rods 28 are then run through 'the tubing I0 and these rods carry the upper coupling member 32. The rods are lowered until the pin 35 on the coupling member 32 engages within the upperv end of the collar 25, after which the rods are rotated so as to screw the right-hand threads of 'the pin 35 into the collar 25.4 This rotation of the rods serves to tighten all of the right-hand connections in the string. As the pin 35 is rotated so as'tovbe connected with the collar 25, the lefthand thread connectionbetween the collar 25 and the pin 24 of the lower coupling element 2|, cannot be disconnected because of the engagement of the ends of the pin 28 `with the notches or recesses 3| in the vlower edge portion of the collar 25. After the pin 35 is corn-` pletely within the collar 25, the spring-pressed locking pin 38 has its inclined ends engaged with the ratchet teeth or serrations 4| on the upper end of the collar 25, whereby disengagement or unscrewing of the pin 35 is prevented. Therefore, after theV connection between. the coupling member 32 and the collar' 25 is made, said connection cannot' berseparatedl untilthe pin 38 is lifted sothat its ends disengage the .teeth4|. i

After the upper the collar, it'is manifest: that the rods 28 are connected withy the pump 'plunger A bymeans of the member 32, collar `25 'and the member 2|. The rods may be'reciprocated in the usual manner, whereby the plungery A is reciprocated within the working barrel I| to lift the well fluid in the usual manner. vWhen it is desired to remove-the rods 20, said rods are lifted or raised upwardly, whereby the entire coupling as well as the plunger is moved upwardly within the working barrel. Upward movement ofthe rods and coupling may continue until the extended ends of the transverse pin 28 in theL lower member 32 is connected in Alar I2. Aco'rmection between thepin 24 and the collar 25A is -unscrewedwhereby the rods may be dis` connected "from the plunger. It is noted that f opposed 'notches or slots 42, which notches are formed in the walls of the coupling collar I2. When the pin engages said notches 42, .(Figures 3 and 8) furtherupward movement of saidr pin is preventedA and las the rods continue an up- -screw the left-hand threads between the pin 24 of the member 2| and the collar 25. Rotation o'f` the lmember 2| is prevented by engagement of the pin 28 -in the notches 42 of the coupling col- Asthe rods are rotated, the left-hand the rotation of the rods in unscrewing the lefthand V'threads will tend to tighten all of ythe r other threads, which are the standard righthandV threads, in the string. AAfter the collar 25 is unscrewed from Athe pin 24, the rods may be readily removed prior to the removal of th tubing, working barrel or plunger.

From the `foregoing, it will be obvious that member 32 carried bythe rods 20. The upper vandalolwer members are arranged to be connected utogetherl by the collar 25, which collar has righthand; threads at its upper end and left-hand threads at its'lower end. The conneotionbetweenith'e rods and plunger is made by screwing the upper member 32 into the right-hand threads of the collar 25; the disconnection or uncoupling of the rods andjplunger is accomplished by unscrewing .the left-hand threads of the collar 25 from the 'pin 24 of the lower member. A locking means is provided for preventing uncoupling of the parts from the collar until such time as the :locking pins` 28 and 38 are disengaged from their lcoasting Arecesses and teeth respectively. 'I'his arrangement permits the' tubing to be run into vand set'in the well vindependently of the rods.

Also, said rods-may be readily removed at any Vtime "without removing thetubing. This makes it possible to employ the larger working barrel 'and the larger plungerwith the tubing of a smaller diameter, whereby more eflicient pumping )may be accomplished. f f

' t It i`s noted that it is not necessary to employ bothfthe upper'member 32 and the lower member Athis form, a, collar 25', similar in construction to the'collar 25, has its lower end reduced and provided ywith right-hand threads Awhich are adapted to receive the upstanding pin 23 of the travelling valve I9. This collarv 2 5 is fastened to'the plunger A when the same is lowered with the well tubing into the well. 'I'he upper coupling member 32 is carried by the lower end of the rods 20 and is adapted to be threaded into the upper end of the collar 25'. The yupper end of the collar 25 has right-hand screw threads and Valso has its upper end provided with ratchet teeth or serrations 4| whereby the ends of the locking pin` 38 carried by the member 32 may engage `saidteeth when the parts. are coupled. In using theV upper element 32 with the m'odied form of collar 25', itis possible to lower the rods kthrough the tubing after the latter has been set,

elements together.

e-ver, after the connection is made, it is not possible to remove the rods without removing the plunger.

In Figures 6 and 7,.thelower coupling member 2! is shown as connecting the rods to the plunger A, the upper element 32 being omitted. In this case, the-upwardly extending pin 24v on the member 2|' is threaded into a socket 45 provided in a coupling element 46. The element 46 has a pin 41 which is threaded into the socket in the lowermost pump rod 26. IIhe threads on the pin 24 and within the socket 45 are left-handed. Obviously.. with this arrangement, the rods 28 'having the coupling element 46 at their lower lends maybe run into the tubing after the plunger 'A has been lowered therein. The rods are lowered until the pin 24 on the upper end of the member 2l engages within the socket 45, after which the rods are rotated so as to connect the After the connection is made, the transverse pin 28 engages notches 3l' formed in the lower edge portion of the element 46, whereby accidental or unintentional disengagement of the connection is prevented. When it is desired to uncouple the elements, it is only necessary to lift the rods until the transverse pin 28 engages within recesses or notches 42 provided in diametrically opposed lugs 42a formed in a coupling collar l2', which latter collar connects the well tubing ID with the working barrel Il'. When the pin is engaged in said notches, continued upward movement of the rods disengages said pin from the recesses 3l' in the coupling element 46, whereby rotation of the rods to uncouple the pin 24 from the socket 45 is permitted. If it is not desired to uncouple the parts, right hand threads may be formed on the pin 24 and within the socket 45.

It is desirable in many instances, to drain or bleed the tubing above the pump plunger A,

whereby the well fluid in the tubing string above said plunger mayv flow back into the well casing. In Figures to 15, a bleeder valve arrangement which may be employed with the improved coupling herein described, is shown. The bleeder valve includes a sleeve member which is adapted to be connected to the swaged collar I2 and to the upper end of the working barrel H. internal, annular bevelled seat or shoulder 5l and a plurality of bleeder ports 52 extend through the wall of the sleeve, having their inner ends exposed to the seat. A valve member or collar 53 is slidable within the sleeve and also f within the swaged collar I2 and is provided with an external, annular seating surface 54 which is adapted to engage the seat 5l. The valve member or collar 53 is normally held in its seated position by a coiled spring 55 and, by observing Figures 10, 11 and 13, it will be manilest that when seated, the valve member closes the ports 52, Awhereby a flow from the tubing into the casingcannot occur.

The bore of the valve member or collar 53 is sufficient to permit the upper portion of the coupling member which connects the rods 28 to the plunger'Ato pass therethrough. However, the projecting ends of the locking pin 28 in the lower coupling member 2| are adapted to engage within recesses 56 formed in thelower edge of the valve member 53, whereby when the rods 26 and coupling are pulled upwardly through the valve member, said projecting ends of the locking pin 28 will serve to lift the valve member under The bore of the sleeve is formed with an Cil Aand to couple said rods to the plunger A. `I-Iow'l tension of the, spring 55. When the valve member'is lifted in thisk manner, fluid in the tubing above said valve member may ow downwardly through the valve member and may escape through the ports 52 which are uncovered when the valve member is. raised (Figure 12).

For. holding the valve member or collar 53 in a raised position and also for holding the same against rotation, said member is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite L-shaped slots 51, which are formed in the upper end of said member. An inwardly extendingv screw 58 which is mounted in the upperend of the sleeve 50 is arranged to ride within each slot 51. Normally the screws 58 are in the position showny in Figures 11 and 13 with the; valve member seated. When theV rods 20 and coupling are lifted so that the vpin 28 engages the notches 56 in the valve member 53 and said valve member is raised under tension of the spring 55,'the pins or screws 58 move downwardly in the vertical portion of the slots 51. After this position is reached, the rods 28 may be rotated which will cause the screws 58 to ride into the horizontal or lateral 'portion of the slots 51, as shown in Figure 12, whereby the valve member is locked against downward movement. The engagement of the screws; within the lateral portion Aof the slots 51 also prevents further rotation of the. valve member 53 and, therefore, if desired, a continued rotation may be imparted to the rods, whereby disconnection of the left-handed screw threads between the member 2l and the collar 25 may be eiected.

So long as the valve'member or collar 53 remains in its raised position, any iiuid from thereabove may ilow` downwardly past said valve member and through the ports 52 into the casing ID. If it is desired to return the valve member to a seated position, it is only necessary to rotate the same until the screws 58 move into alinement with the vertical portions of the slots 51. When this occurs, the coupling and` rods may be moved downwardly so that the locking pin 28 disengages the notches 56, after which the coiled spring will immediately return the valve member to a seated position. It is noted that the valve member not only provides a means whereby the fluid trapped above the plunger may be conducted from the tubing', but the notches in the lower end of said valve member provide' a means whereby the plunger and the lower coupling member 2l may be heldstationary while the rods are rotated to effect a disconnection of the rods with said plunger.

What I claim and desire to secure byV Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a well tubing having a pump plunger and pump rods reciprocable therein of a coupling including, a coupling member attached to the plunger, a collar connected to the coupling member by left-hand threads, an upper coupling member attached to the rods and connected with said'collarby right-hand threads, said tubing Vhaving bleeder ports therein located above the plunger for Vestablishing communication between the interior and exterior of the tubing, an annular valve member for closing said ports, and means Ion one of the coupling members for engaging said member to raise the same when the coupling is raised, whereby the bleeder ports are opened to permit. the tubing to drain.

2. The combination with a' well tubing having a pump plunger and pump rods` reciprocable therein of a coupling including, a coupling memberend engaging; thegjcollar.; the bar v,having its ber attached to the plunger, a collar connected to the coupling member by left-hand threads, spring-pressedv means mounted in the member and engageable with the collar for preventing reverserotation ofv the members toprevent unintentional uncoupling thereof, lan upper coupling member attached tothe pump vrods and; connected with the collar by right-hand threads, the tubing having bleeder ports for establishing communication between the interior and exterior thereof, and a valve member normally in av seated position closing said ports. said member being arranged to ,be engagedIv by .the spring-pressed means mounted inthe rst mentioned coupling member, whereby Yupward movement of saidcoupling will raise said valve member to uncover the bleeder ports. y :1 c. 1

3. YA coupling for connecting apair of elements which are adapted to be lowered through a tubular conductor and including, a collar having a threaded bore and attached to one` of the elements to be coupled, a couplingmember carried by the other element and screwed into the collar, co-acting means on the collar and. member lfor preventing unintentional disconnection of these parts, and means within the conductor arranged to cooperate with-one of said co-,acting means to actuate 'and engage thesame and also to prevent rotation of' this co-acting means as well as` the member to permit disconnection of vsaidcollar and member. 1

4. A coupling for connectinga pair of elements which are adapted to be lowered through a tubular conductor and including,` a lower Coupling member attached to one oi the lelements to be coupled, an uppery coupling member carried by the other element, a collar connected with one of the coupling members by means ofa left-hand thread and-'connectedfto the other member by means of a right-hand thread, means associated with theleft-hand threads to prevent disconnection thereof when the jright-hand threads are coupled, and an abutment `within the conductor constructed and arranged to co-act with the last named means to actuate the same and to hold the same against rotationk to permit unscrewing of the collar and member connected theretoby left-hand threads. Y

5. A coupling for connecting a pair of element which are ,adapted to,I be lowered through a tubular conductor andy including, a lower coupling member attached to, oneof the elements tobe coupled, an upper coupling member carried by the other element, a collar connected with one of the coupling members by means of a left-hand thread and connected to the other member by means of a right-hand thread, spring-pressed means carried by the first coupling member and engageabl-e with the collar for preventing disconnection of the left-hand threads when said collar is connected with the other member by right-hand threads, and an abutment within the conductor constructed and arranged to co-act with the last named means to disengage the same from the collar and to hold said means as well as the rst coupling member against rotation to permit disconnection of the collar and iirst coupling member. l

6. A coupling for connecting a pair of elements which are adapted to be lowered through a tubular conductor and including, a collar having a threaded bore and attached to one of the elements to be coupled, a coupling member carried by the other element and screwed into the collar, a transversely extending bar carried by the memcoupled, an upper coupling member carriedV by the Y,other element, ,a collar connectedwithone Qi: thefcoupline I rlexrltleraby,ulean'scf aloft-hand thread and. connected-.t0 the other member by means of arighthand thread, means associated with the right-hand threads -for lookingthe same against accidental and unintentionalA disconnection, means associated with the left-,hand threads tofprevent disconnectionthereof when the righthand threads are coupledfand an abutment Awithin the conductor constructed orarranged'rto coact with the last namedvmeansl to actuatethe same and to lock'said means against rotation to permit disconnection ofvthe collar andy member connected thereto, by left-hand threads. c.

8. The combinationwith a pump plungerr and pump rods for reciprocating thesame, within la working barrel of a coupling including, alower parts with relation to eachother, wherebyithe connection between the upper member and collar may be made without disconnecting thelefthand'threads of-,said collar from the lower member, and means withinvthe working barrelr arranged to cooperate; with vone lof said co-acting means to disengage the samefrom the other coacting `means and to lock said means as well as said lower member Aagainst rotation to permit disconnection of the collarandlower member.

9.l The combination with ,a pumpplunger and pump rods for reciprocating the same-within a workingk barrelof avcoupling incluoling,r a lower coupling member carried Vby* the plunger'- and having -an upstanding pin provided with external left-hand screw threads, a collar threaded onto the pin and having the upper end of its bore formed with right-hand screw threads, an upper coupling member attached to the pump rods and screwed into the right-hand threads of the collar, co-acting means on the vcollar and lower coupling member for preventing rotation of these parts with relation to each other, whereby the connection between the upper member and collar may be made without disconnecting the left-hand threads of said collar from the lower member, and an abutment within the working barrel arranged to cooperate with one of said co-acting means to disengage the same from the other coacting means, the abutment also cooperating with the disengaged means to lock said means and the lower member against rotation to pergiit disconnection of the collar and lower mem- 10. The combination with a' pump plunger and pump rods for reciprocating the same Within a working barrel of a coupling including, a lower coupling member carried by the plunger and having an upstanding pin provided with external left-hand screw threads, a collar threaded onto the pin and having the upper end of its bore formed with right-hand `screw threads, an upper coupling member attached to the pump rods and screwed into the right-hand threads of the collar, spring-pressed means carried by the lower coupling member and engageable with the collar for preventing rotation of these parts with relation to each other, and an abutment within the working barrel arranged to cooperate with said means to disengage the same from the collar, the abutment also cooperating with the means to lock said means and lower member against rotation to permit disconnection of said collar and lower coupling member, whereby the pump rods may be disconnected from the plunger within the working barrel'.

11. The combination with a pump plunger and pump rods for reciprocating the same within a working barrel of a coupling including, a lower Acoupling member carried by the plunger and having an upstanding pin provided with external left-hand screw threads, a collar threaded onto the pin and having the upper end of its bore formed with right-hand screw threads, an upper coupling member attached to the pump. rods and screwed into the right-hand threads of the collar, a transversely extending bar carried by the lower coupling member and engaging the collar, the bar having its extremities extending beyond the external surface Aof these parts, and an abutment within the working barrel constructed and arranged to co-act with the extremities of lsaid bar to disengage the same from the collar and to lock the same against rotation to permit -disconnection of the plunger and pump rods within said barrel through disconnection of said collar and lower member.

12. The combination with a pump plunger and pump rods f-o-r reciprocating the Ysame within a working barrel of a coupling including, a lower coupling member carried by the plunger and having an upstanding pin provided with `extern-a1 left-hand screw threads, a 'collar threaded onto the pin and having the upper end of its bore formed with right-hand screw threads, an upper coupling member attached Ito the pump rods and screwed into the right-hand threads of the collar, co-acting means on the collar and lower coupling member for preventing rotation of these parts with relation to each other, whereby the connection between the upper member and collar may be made without disconnecting the left-hand threads of said collar from the lower member, means within the working barrel arranged to cooperate with one of said co-acting means to disengage the same from the other co-acting means and to lock said means as well as said lower member against rotation to permit disconnection of the collar and lower member, and co-acting means on the upper member and collar for preventing unintentional unscrewing 4of these elements after they have been connected and also for preventing unscrewing of said elements when the left-hand threads are disconnected.

13. A coupling for connecting `a pair of elements which are adapted to be lowered through a tubular conductor and including, a collar having a threaded bore and attached to one ofthe elements to be coupled, a coupling member carried by the other element 'and screwed into the collar, the second element having a transverse slot, a diametrically extending spring-pressed pin within vsaid slot having its extremities extending beyond the exterior o -said element, the adjacent end of the collar having recesses adapted to receive the pin kwhen the collar and element are screwed together, whereby disconnection of these parts is prevented, and vmeans within the conductor arranged to cooperate with the extended ends of the pin to depress the same and disengage it from the recesses to permit unscrewing of said collar and the element Within which the pin is mounted.

14. A coupling for connecting a pair of elements which are adapted to be lowered through a tubular conductor and including, a collar having a threaded bore and attached to one of the elements to be coupled, a coupling member carried by the other element and screwed into the collar, the second element having a transverse slot, a diametrically extending spring-pressed pin within said slot dhaving its extremities extending beyond the exterior of said element, the adjacent end of the collar having recesses adapted to receive the pin when the collar and element are screwed together, whereby 'disconnection of these parts is prevented, and a slotted abutment within the conductor adapted to receive the extended ends of the pinto depress the same and also to lock said pin and the element within which the pin is mounted against rotation'to 'permit disconnection o'f said element and collar. l 

